Getting to Know 2017 Mar-Del Watermelon Queen, Connor Vincent

We have royalty in the studio!

The 2017 Mar-Del Watermelon Queen, Connor Vincent, joins us in the DelmarvaLife kitchen. We learn all about the queen, as well as her watermelon seed spitting technique.

Connor won the 2017 Mar-Del Watermelon Queen title in February 2017. Connor says it was such an awesome feeling.

“I was shocked. It felt like five years passed before they anno0unced it. Then they said my name,” Connor said. “I get up there and I hugged Amy. It was exciting. I got to see my family sitting right next to see the stage. I’m the fifth generation of our family so seeing them cheer me on was an awesome feeling.”

As the Mar-Del Watermelon Queen, Connor promotes watermelon and the health benefits of them to consumers in the community. She also talks about the importance of buying local produce to support local farmers – like her own family.

Connor’s family farms in Laurel, Del. and South Carolina.

“I have lived on a farm my entire life,” Connor says. “My families involvement in farming and my passion for agriculture made me want to do this(Mar-Del Watermelon Queen Pageant). Agriculture is near and dear to my heart. It’s such an important part of our community. To be the watermelon queen, you have to be super passionate about agriculture. If you take a step back, and look at the state of Delaware as a whole, agriculture is all we know. That’s our way of life here.”

Connor has shown livestock at the Delaware State Fair since she was 5-years-old. Connor has moved on to the national level and has traveled to many states to show livestock.

“I show sheep. It takes a lot of hard work,” Connor says. “You win ribbons and money as well, but it’s more so about the friendships and connections you get to make. I have friends that I talk to from all over the nation. You put in so much hard work to make sure the animals are perfect, but it’s fun in the show ring. It’s such a rewarding experience.”

Connor has not competed in a pageant since 2001 when she won Little Miss Laurel Fire Prevention. She wanted to compete in the Mar-Del Watermelon Queen Pageant because she is so passionate about agriculture. If you would like more information the Mar-Del Watermelon Queen Program, go here.

There is a scholarship involved and it’s also a paid job for the year. Connor wants future contestants to understand that the title comes with many responsibilities.

“You’re not just a queen, you are an ambassador for our association,” Connor says. “It is your job to do this. Yes, you have your crown and sash and people will look at you when you have that on. You use that to get their attention and educate them.”

Connor’s advice for future contestants:

“Be yourself and be genuine. That’s going to get you farther than anything else,” Connor says. “It’s okay to be nervous when you go in there. I was nervous. The people in that association I have been around since I was five-years-old and I was still nervous. It just comes down to being yourself, be genuine, and be true to your morals and values.”

Connor recently earned her associates degree in agribusiness management from NC State University and will start pursuing her next degree in pre-law at Campbell University this fall. Connor says she truly enjoys college and is excited for her future career dreams.

If you attend any events where the Mar-Del Watermelon Queen will be present, chances are there may be a long mat with many people spitting watermelon seeds to see who can spit the seed the furthest distance. Connor says her mom is the best at it, but she does share her technique with us.

“I hold my crown and get all this air and lean back and launch,” Connor says. “It’s not very ladylike, but its only acceptable when you’re the watermelon queen.”

Connor will compete for the title of National Watermelon Queen in February 2018 in Nashville, Tn.